Why Pak terrorist Usman is being called another Ajmal Kasab

The capture of a Pakistani militant involved in an ambush on a Border Security Force (BSF) convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday comes as a gritty reminder of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks for his uncanny resemblance to Ajmal Kasab. Kasab was one of 10 gunmen who attacked Mumbai in November 2008 that killed 166 people. He became India's prime evidence of a Pakistani hand in the three-day siege.

Here are some similarities between Usman, the militant captured today, and Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist who was captured alive and later sentenced to death and hanged on November 21, 2012.

Pakistan connection
Usman, who had earlier claimed his name was Kasim Khan, has reportedly admitted that he is from Faisalabad in Pakistan. Kasab had told investigators that he comes from Faridkot in Pakistan's Punjab region.

Age
Usman is believed to be 20 years old. Kasab's lawyer had at first argued the defendant was a minor and should be tried in a juvenile court, but Kasab later said he was 21.

Like Kasab, Usman also speaks Urdu and Punjabi. The Home Ministry has confirmed that Usman is from Pakistan. In Kasab's case, Pakistan had initially denied he was their citizen.

Usman is reportedly part of the Gurdaspur module and had crossed over to India along with the Punjab killers. He had fled to the jungles after the attack on BSF convoy. Usman, however, was captured alive by security forces from Samroli village, 10 km from Udhampur. Alert villagers in the area helped nab the Pakistani terrorist.

Kasab was one of 10 gunmen who attacked Mumbai in 2008 in a three-day rampage on some of the city's most famous landmarks, including the iconic Taj Mahal hotel.

Usman's partner was gunned down by security forces in the encounter. He is yet to be identified. The Indian Army has set up a helpline to catch the remaining two terrorists believed to be at large.

Caught after fierce encounter
Kasab was captured outside Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. He and an accomplice, who was shot dead, had fired AK-47s inside and killed around 50 people. Once captured, he became a prime source for investigators.

Mentored by Lashkar-e-Taiba
Usman was carrying an AK-47 rifle and reportedly trained by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Kasab said he was recruited by the LeT and given a year of commando training in Pakistan by a former Pakistani military officer.